Hiring pipeline — arrange these steps in a realistic recruitment sequence: (a) Probation (b) Interview (c) Selection (d) Appointment (e) Advertisement (f) Application

Introduction / Context:
Recruitment in organizations typically follows a structured pipeline from opening a role to confirming a new joiner. Understanding this order is useful for HR reasoning and general aptitude tests.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Stages: Advertisement, Application, Interview, Selection, Appointment, Probation.
• We assume a standard corporate process without special fast-track or internal transfers.

Concept / Approach:
The job is publicly advertised, candidates apply, interviews assess suitability, selected candidates receive offers/appointments, and employment begins with a probation period to evaluate performance and fit.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: (e) Advertisement — announce the vacancy and requirements.Step 2: (f) Application — candidates submit resumes/forms.Step 3: (b) Interview — screening and evaluation rounds.Step 4: (c) Selection — final decision on the successful candidate.Step 5: (d) Appointment — formal offer/appointment letter and joining.Step 6: (a) Probation — initial employment period for performance assessment.

Verification / Alternative check:
This mirrors typical HR SOPs: hiring workflow diagrams show Advertise → Apply → Interview → Select → Offer/Appointment → Probation/Confirmation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• e, f, c, b, d, a: Places Selection before Interview; selection cannot precede evaluation.
• e, f, d, b, c, a: Appointment before Interview/Selection is illogical.
• f, e, d, b, c, a: Starts with Application before Advertisement; candidates need the vacancy to be posted first.
• e, b, f, c, d, a: Swaps Interview and Application; interviews require applications.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing ‘‘selection’’ with ‘‘appointment’’: selection is the decision; appointment is the formal offer and onboarding step. Also, probation is after joining, not before.

Final Answer:
e, f, b, c, d, a